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2019 Kia Forte EX the younger brother of the Stinger

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Written by Marco Carvajal

As I drive the 2019 Kia Forte EX on the highways of Florida, I see many other Forte cars on the road. This is a very popular model, loved by Kia Fans. The Forte is Kia’s workhorse, with more than 100,000 units sold every year.

Kia Forte

The Kia Forte, is a compact sedan produced since 2008. It is known as K3 in South Korea, Forte K3, or Shuma in China, and Cerato Vivaro in Colombia. In some markets like Costa Rica, Australia and Brazil, the Forte is marketed as Kia Cerato. In Colombia and Singapore, the name Cerato Forte was used for the second generation. Naza Automotive Manufacturing of Malaysia assembled the vehicle since 2009, selling it there under the name of Naza Forte.

2019 Kia Forte

The 2019 Kia Forte is the third generation of this successful compact.

Kia’s new designer, Peter Schreyer, former Audi designer, has given a premium design and new direction to most Kia’s automobiles, including the new Forte that now looks like the younger brother of its older brother, the full-size Stinger sedan. The all-new Forte 2019 looks like a smaller and more modest version of Kia’s Stinger, with a fresh new look that could appeal many potential car buyers.

To achieve resemblance to the Stinger, Kia designers pushed the windshield base 5 inches backwards compared to the previous model and shortened the trunk lid, being able to produce the sought-after short-deck look typical of sports performance automobiles.

The new look of the Forte has a sporty and more elegant look than the previous generation.

The new generation Forte includes Kia Drive Wise technologies.

The Forte now produces better fuel economy with an amazing average of 40 miles per gallon.

The trim level Kia Forte EX that I am test driving is the top of the Forte line.

2019 Kia Forte EX Highlights

  • 2.0 liter, DOHC, 16-valve I-4, Atkinson Cycle Engine
  • Dual Continuously Variable Valve Timing (D-CVVT)
  • Horsepower 147 hp @ 6,200 rpm
  • Torque 132 lb.-ft. @ 4,500 rpm
  • Intelligent Variable Transmission (IVT) ) w/ Sportmatic
  • MPG 30/40/34  (City/Highway/Combined)
  • Fuel Tank Capacity, 14 Gallons
  • 17″ Machine Finish Alloy Wheels
  • UVO eServices, 8″ Touch-Screen Display, Voice Recognition and SiriusXM Satellite Radio. Harman/Kardon Premium Audio w/ Clari-Fi, 320 Watts, 8 Speakers, and Integrated Subwoofer Optional as part of the EX Launch Edition Package.

Trims

The 2019 Kia Forte is available on 4 different Trim Levels:

FE

LXS

S

EX

The Forte FE is the entry level model, followed by the LXS, the S, and finally the EX is the top of the Forte lineup.  The FE is the only model available on a manual transmission 6-Speed. All other trim models including the FE are available with an Intelligent Variable Transmission (IVT). 

Pricing

The price of the Forte provides great value and tons of standard features typical of the generosity of Kia. You can purchase the base model FE for a price of $17,790, or you can go all the way to $21,990 on the top of the line Forte EX.  Each Forte trims has a similar price range with just about $1,000 difference between each model.  

Engine

All Forte models use the same engine, a 2.0 liter, DOHC, 16-valve I-4, Atkinson Cycle that produce 147 Horse Power at 6,200 rpm and 132 lb.-ft. torque at 4,500 rpm.

All models use a Multi-Point Injection (MPI) Fuel Delivery System. 

Inside the Cabin

The new Forte is bigger, the new fastback shape created a bolt and sporty exterior appearance, and also help to expand the interior cabin. The overall length of the new 2019 Forte has increased by 3.2 inches to 182.7 inches, producing more rear legroom and greater cargo trunk of about 15.3 cu.-ft., one of the largest in the segment. The new Forte also includes additional rear headroom increasing the overall height and width.

Competition

The KIA Forte of 2019 must prove again its success again competitors like the Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla, Nissan Sentra and Mazda3.

Continuing with KIA’s tradition to provide good sales value, great combination of style, excellent driving comfort and technological features, the new Forte is ready to give a great fight in the segment and perhaps increase sales among its competitors.

For those who want to spend less than $20,000 for a compact stylish car, the Forte is a great choice.

2019 Kia Forte
2019 Forte

Follow Marco Carvajal:
Marco Carvajal has many years of experience in the editorial world, in the entertainment industry including events, cars, music and other fields. He also has wide experience in business, e-business and e-commerce. He is actively involved in the development of AutomotorPro.com and other affiliated car publications, from marketing and business management, to the editorial department as a contributing writer and editor for other writers. His passion for automobiles, travel and art, supports the development of AutomotorPro.com in an original and unique way, as a leader in the automobile editorial industry, nationwide in the United States and international territories. Marco graduated from the University of Miami, in addition to additional studies at other universities and institutions. In the field of business, he has created several enterprises and multinational projects related to publishing and entertainment. As a writer, the number one goal for Marco Carvajal is to be able to communicate clear information easy to understand for our subscribers, in an easy language, very detailed, about automobiles and lifestyle. He also likes to show a different perspective, with innovative style, about the information and characteristics of each car, mostly oriented to the daily life, about what each person may want learn about each car, thinking on the practical daily use of cars in real life. Marco Carvajal tiene muchísimos años de experiencia en el mundo editorial, en la industria del entretenimiento incluyendo eventos, autos, música y otros, así como gran experiencia en los negocios, e-business y e-commerce. Se envuelve activamente en el desarrollo de AutomotorPro.com, desde aspectos de mercadeo y manejo de negocios, hasta el departamento editorial donde también escribe y edita artículos de otros escritores. Su pasión por los autos, viajar y el arte, le ayudan a AutomotorPro.com a desarrollarse de una forma original y única, como un líder en la industria editorial automotriz a nivel nacional en Estados Unidos y otros territorios internacionales. Marco se graduó de la Universidad de Miami, además de haber realizado estudios y cursos en otras universidades e instituciones. En el área de negocio ha fundado varias empresas y creado varios proyectos multinacionales en el área editorial y del entretenimiento. Como escritor, la meta número uno de Marco Carvajal es lograr transmitir información sobre automóviles fácil de entender para los lectores, en un idioma sencillo, los más detallada posible. Además de lograr mostrar un lado diferente e innovador sobre la información y características de cada auto, principalmente orientado a lo cotidiano, a lo que cada persona puede aprender sobre cada automóvil, pensando en la vida diaria, en el uso de cada auto en la vida práctica.
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